Lafawndah has an incredible sense of independence.
The New York-based producer makes music that exists in its own universe, matching adept electronics against songwriting that seems blessed with an inordinately innovative palette.
New EP 'Tan' is out now, with the Warp-aligned artist set to follow this with a new video.
'Ally' is sheer other-worldly pop music, the pummelling percussion set against squelching electronics and stunning vocals. Lafawndah took charge of the visuals herself, and they're quite something.
Lafawndah explains:
"The smoothing of the six upper teeth takes about 15 minutes. The filing is performed by a dental specialist. Before the ceremony begins, the technician will read spells to ensure that the ceremony runs smoothly.
After the reading of the spells, the technician will inscribe a sigil on the teeth and chest using a ruby ring. This ring is also useful for guarding the ceremony from the attacks. Before the filing of the teeth, her mouth will be first propped open with lumber or sugar cane. She will then rinse her mouth with turmeric water.
When the ceremony has ended, she with the filled teeth bites betel leaf. The saliva is collected on an ivory coconut. The ritual ends with a sprinkle of purified water.
The ceremony itself is expensive. Therefore, it is usually done en mass and in the summer. Each of the six teeth corresponds to six human attributes that are considered to be those that humans inherited from animals. The teeth are filled in order to harness these powers. They are: kama (desire); loba (ambition); krodha (righteousness); mada (wildness); moha (cunning); matsarya (justice)."
